Lignum Vitae

Lignum Vitae (Latin for “wood of life”), common name for a small genus of trees and shrubs, native to tropical America, that yield heavy, durable wood. Of the approximately eight species in the genus, two occur in the United States. One is widespread in the West Indies and is also found in southern Florida, where it is used as an ornamental. The other is a scrubby tree or bush extending into southwestern Texas from its major range in northeastern Mexico.

The name lignum vitae is also applied to wood of the sandarac, an African and Australian cypress pine, and, in Australia, to wood of several unrelated species.

Scientific classification: Lignum vitae make up the genus Guaiacum of the family Zygophyllaceae. The species widespread in the West Indies and also found in southern Florida is classified as Guaiacum sanctum. The scrubby tree or bush extending from northeastern Mexico into southwestern Texas is classified as Guaiacum augustifolium.